Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an extremely important issue. We understand that everything that you tell us is private in counseling. Releases of information need to be signed in order for us to talk with others regarding your care. Information about your appointments at Counseling Associates of Rockford is confidential and cannot be disclosed without your written consent. Counseling Associates of Rockford adheres to the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) because they represent high standards of professional practice in regards to privacy and confidentiality.

It is important to know that there are a few exceptions to confidentiality. If your counselor has reasonable cause to believe a child known to him/her in his or her professional capacity may be an abused or a neglected child, your counselor must report this concern in accordance with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. If your counselor has reason to believe that an individual (who is protected by state law) has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited, he/she must report this concern with the Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Also, if you communicate any imminent threat of harm to yourself or harm to others; your counselor may make disclosures that he/she believes are necessary to protect you and/or the other person from harm according to the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.